1. KOKO PIMENTEL WHO LOST TO ZUBIRI SAYS, A GENTLEMAN'S ACT LONG OVERDUE
2. Senator Zubiri resigns from post, to run in 2013 Yahoo! NewsroomBy Thea Alberto-Masakayan | Yahoo! Newsroom – 11 hours ago
[PHOTO - Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III)
MANILA, AUGUST 4, 2011 (STAR) By Perseus Echeminada and Jose Rodel Clapano - It was a rare gentleman's act that should have been done four years ago.
This was how senatorial candidate Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and his father and namesake former senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. described yesterday the resignation of Juan Miguel Zubiri from the Senate.
The younger Pimentel said Zubiri's resignation was seldom seen in Philippine politics.
"I admire Zubiri for his rare gentleman's act," he said.
Nene Pimentel said Zubiri could have resigned much earlier, before the controversy over his mandate was put into question.
"It should have been done four years ago. I thank all the people who trusted Koko Pimentel. I don't want to add more burden and headache on Zubiri, but the truth has finally come out. This is what Koko fought for," the elder Pimentel said.
Koko, on the other hand, said the resignation of Zubiri would set into motion his electoral protest against the senator.
"This is a very seldom development. We will file a motion in the SET (Senate Electoral Tribunal) to hasten the resolution of my protest. My reading, as a lawyer, the resignation of someone who has been protested will hasten the resolution of election protests," he said.
The younger Pimentel stressed there is nothing wrong in his election protest against Zubiri.
"He (Zubiri) still has an element of a gentleman because he resigned. The protest is not wrong. At least, the fight is now fair," he said.
Pimentel disputed the claim of Zubiri that there is no legal basis in his electoral protest.
He said the SET has already completed the revision of contested votes.
Pimentel said his father, also his lawyer, had already set into motion the petition to immediately proclaim him as the 12th winning senator in the 2007 elections.
Pimentel said Zubiri had resigned from the Senate because he saw "himself as… unlawfully occupying the contested position."
He stressed his protest against Zubiri is a political and legal question that needs to be resolved because it involves a senatorial term of office from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2013.
"Roughly four years had already been consumed in interminable legal squabbling in the SET," Pimentel said.
Pimentel also urged the SET to take into account the recent revelations of former Mindanao regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan and former election official Lintang Bedol that some 195,000 votes were credited to Zubiri in a supposed election fraud scheme in Maguindanao during the 2007 elections.
"The fakery that characterized the 2007 elections in Maguindanao that credited 195,000 fake votes to Zubiri and which in turn led to his fake proclamation as a senator had already been proven by evidence duly presented to the Tribunal," Pimentel said.
Zubiri maintained he did not cheat his way into the Senate.
'Highest form of moral courage'
Before he made the speech announcing his resignation, Zubiri informed a handful of colleagues a couple of weeks ago of his plan to resign.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Zubiri met with him to inform him about his plan to quit.
Enrile told Zubiri that the resignation of a member of the Senate was unprecedented and he would have to study its legal implications.
In an impromptu message during yesterday's session, Enrile commended Zubiri for his courage and for choosing to defend his honor instead of asserting his power as a senator.
Enrile said it was a rare occasion to witness the resignation of a member of the Senate.
"It is the highest form of moral courage to uphold one's honor and die for it if necessary. To show that there is something more valuable than power, perquisites, wealth and life itself, if it becomes necessary to lay down your life to uphold the dignity of yourself as a man and the dignity of your family," Enrile told Zubiri, standing in rapt attention facing the podium.
"I'm sad that we're going to lose you but I'm sure that what you did today in this chamber, what you showed us in this chamber today, what you showed the Filipino people, will be remembered and your detractors will be chastised and that you shall come back here again to be with the members of this Senate," Enrile said.
Enrile said he would not immediately act on Zubiri's resignation and take the issue up with members of the Senate.
He said Zubiri's resignation was unprecedented and "historical" considering it was voluntary.
"We cannot stop you for what you did because it's a matter of honor and as head of this chamber, I will tell you I will study your resignation and make a decision in due time. I will consult the members of the chamber about it," he told Zubiri.
Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. said he tried to dissuade Zubiri from pushing through with his plan to resign, to wait until the final decision of the SET.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also said he tried to discourage Zubiri from resigning.
"I said you have to fight it out if you really did nothing. You really have to fight it out. But we have to respect his decision," Estrada said.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said that he was surprised with Zubiri's decision to quit. He said Zubiri could have fought it out until the end.
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, for his part, lamented the loss of a fellow native of Bukidnon, whom he described as a very hardworking member of the Senate.
Zubiri's former colleagues at the House of Representatives said the resignation "demonstrates a sense of delicadeza (propriety) that other mature public servants lack."
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Zubiri could even make a strong political comeback after his resignation.
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said Zubiri showed strength of character.
"The true test of character is not the drive by which one acquires power but the grade by which one relinquishes it," he said.
Zubiri served for three terms or nine years as Bukidnon congressman before running for the Senate.
Malacañang said they respect Zubiri's decision to resign.
"We respect the decision of Mr. Zubiri to relinquish his post in the Senate. It represents a way forward to start healing the wounds of the past. We thank him for the service he has given our countrymen," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
Lacierda urged the resigned senator to demonstrate his willingness to restore dignity to the electoral process.
"Any contribution he makes can be vital in restoring the people's mandate and in giving the Filipinos the meaningful electoral reforms they rightfully deserve," Lacierda added.
Vice President Jejomar Binay said Zubiri deserved higher respect with his decision to resign from the Senate.
"I have the highest respect for Miguel Zubiri and his reason for resigning from the Senate. His resignation helps reinforce the people's faith in our leaders and shows that decency is very much alive in our political institutions. I hope he will continue his advocacies, particularly for the environment, as a private citizen," Binay said.
Not yet
Sen. Francis Escudero said it was a difficult decision for Zubiri to resign.
Escudero, as former member of the SET that took jurisdiction over the protest cases filed by Pimentel, said the electoral protest would have to continue.
Escudero explained that until the SET issues its ruling, Pimentel would not be able to assume the seat left vacant by Zubiri.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the resignation of Zubiri does not automatically qualify Pimentel for the vacancy.
De Lima, who was Pimentel's election lawyer, also said Zubiri's resignation did not put closure to questions on his victory in the 2007 polls.
"Sen. Zubiri's resignation does not automatically mean the assumption of Koko Pimentel to the vacancy, although it can speed up the process. SET has yet to annul Zubiri's proclamation by declaring Pimentel as the rightful winner," she explained.
De Lima admitted she has yet to be convinced by Zubiri's motive in resigning, calling it a "surprising development" and "a pleasant surprise for the cause of truth and electoral justice."
De Lima also questioned why Enrile decided not to immediately accept the resignation when it was supposed to be irrevocable as expressed by Zubiri himself.
On the other hand, lawyer Howard Calleja said Zubiri's resignation vindicated the statements made by his client Ampatuan.
Calleja said Zubiri's decision to resign from the Senate only showed Ampatuan was telling the truth behind the fraud in the 2007 elections.
Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza says he sympathizes with Zubiri's predicament, but admires his courage to resign as senator.
"What a loss. He did very well as a senator in the positions he held and the legislation he fought for, " he said.
Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chair Henrietta de Villa said the resignation of Zubiri would boost the joint investigation on the electoral fraud in 2004 and 2007.
"It is a very good development for the investigation… I welcome what he had done," De Villa said.
She said it was "very unusual that someone (in power) will resign."
"But without implying agenda, the act of resigning itself is laudable," De Villa said.
An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Zubiri's resignation had put his family above his political ambition.
CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace executive secretary Fr. Edu Gariguez said Zubiri's decision to leave the Senate came at a time when his winning the 12th slot in the 2007 elections was being questioned.
"This decision to resign in the face of election controversies even without admitting fault… We welcome this gesture of putting the interest of his family over his political ambition," Gariguez said. –With Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla, Jess Diaz, Evelyn Macairan, Aie Balagtas See, Edu Punay, Sheila Crisostomo
PHOTO COURTESY OF MANILA BULLETIN:
EMOTIONAL HUG - Sen. Miguel Zubiri (left) and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
hug each other after Zubiri tendered his resignation in Wednesday's plenary session.
He is the first ever senator to resign from his position in
Philippine history. (Photo by CHARI VILLEGAS)]
FROM YAHOO PHILIPPINES
Senator Zubiri resigns from post, to run in 2013 Yahoo! NewsroomBy Thea Alberto-Masakayan | Yahoo! Newsroom – 11 hours ago
MANILA - Saying that honor goes above anything, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri resigned from his post Wednesday, roughly two years before he ends his six-year term.
In a privilege speech, Zubiri said he resigned because of "unfounded accusations" against him, which has deeply hurt his family.
"I am resigning because of these unfounded accusations against me and these issues has systematically divided our nation and has cast doubts in our electoral system which has affected not only myself, this Institution but the public as well," Zubiri said.
"And as a legislator, who is being referred to in the Senate as "Your Honor", I believe that my honor is something that should never be subject to taint," he added.
This, amid fresh revelations by Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol of alleged fraud in the 2007 elections.
"Without admitting any fault and with my vehement denial of the alleged electoral fraud hurled against me, I am submitting my resignation as a duly elected Senator of the Republic of the Philippines in the election for which I am falsely accused without mercy and compassion," a calm Zubiri said as he delivered his privileged speech.
"I have seen and felt the suffering of my family, and from the burrows of my conscience, I could not allow this to happen, let alone be tolerated," Zubiri added.
"I did not cheat nor ask anyone to cheat for me and my family. We would never tolerate any form of electoral fraud," he added.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he would study Zubiri's resignation.
Zubiri, however stressed his resignation was irrevocable.
Plans after resignation
Interviewed after delivering his speech, Zubiri said he would seek a Senate post in 2013. "I will seek a fresh mandate," he told reporters.
His wife, Audrey Zubiri said she is supporting her husband's decision.
"Sa ngayon I'm very proud of my husband. Pinatunayan niya na siya ay isang tunay na lalaki," she told reporters.
For now, they will enjoy a private life together. She added in jest that they'll be "making babies."
Reactions
Enrile lauded Zubiri's decision and noted it was a "very rare show of moral courage."
"Today I am happy that in my lifetime and in my watch as Senate President, I've seen a man standing before us to uphold the honor of his family and himself," Enrile said, noting that that Senate would be losing "one of the most articulate, one of the most promising members."
Meanwhile, Malacanang urged Zubiri to help shed light on poll fraud allegations.
"We call on Mr. Zubiri to further demonstrate his willingness to help restore the dignity of our electoral process. Any contribution he makes can be vital in restoring the people's mandate," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
2007 poll fraud
An administration bet, Zubiri landed the 12th and last spot for the Senate, narrowly defeating opposition bet, lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.
Pimentel has since contested Zubiri's win but failed to get the High Court's restraining order on Zubiri's proclamation.
Zubiri was proclaimed Senator on July 2007 with 11,001,730 votes, a little over Pimentel's 10,983,358. An electoral protest is pending before the Senate Electoral Tribunal.
In a telephone interview, former Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. said he is hoping his son could soon get the post.
"We are hoping it will happen sooner or later," he said, noting that Koko still have less than two years to work in the Senate.
As for Zubiri, he said he would "live in happiness and peace" with his family.
"I will leave the Senate with my head held up high, knowing that despite all endeavors that came my way, I was able to survive and perform, and I did so with the support of those who believed in me and my advocacies," he added.
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